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Tragic Character A common question that is asked when discussing William Shakespeare’s tragic play, King Lear, is what makes King Lear a tragedy? King Lear is often said to be Shakespeare’s best tragic play he ever wrote. In the play Lear stepped down from the throne, giving up his kingship and gave his estate to his two daughters Goneril and Regan. His third daughter, Cordelia, was shunned upon and left France and Lear. There are many reasons why Lear is considered a tragic character one being he is unaware of Cordelia’s love and loyalty to him so he punishes her causing her incredible pain and sorrow. Lear then gives the property to his other daughters who betray him and show nothing but disrespect and cruelty. Then he has a realization of the truth of his daughters and begins to loose his grip on life and then has to live with the choices he made and the pain he caused his loyal daughter Cordelia. In Act I Lear asks all of his daughters how much they love him so he can decide how to split up his riches. His two daughters Goneril and Regan lie to him stating that they love him and honor him and respect him as a father and a king. His other daughter Cordelia responds to Lear’s inquisition, “ Unhappy that I am, I